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UBA’s Africa Conversations: Leaders Emphasise the Importance of History to African Development

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5 years ago

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      African leading minds have called on Africans to be mindful of their rich history, which according to them creates the path towards the socio-cultural, economic and political development of the continent

      The strong African voices which included Group Chairman, United Bank for Africa (UBA), Tony Elumelu, Nobel Laureate, Wole Soyinka; Professor emeritus and authority in Sahelian history, Djibril Tamsir Niane; Ghanaian Politician, Samia Nkrumah and Famous Musician, Femi Kuti spoke during the first edition of UBA’s Africa Conversations, a symposium organised by the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc at the UBA House in Lagos, as part of activities marking this year’s Africa Day celebrations. The theme of the panel session was “Africa’s History Redefined, Our Past, the Path to the Future”.

      Opening the conversation, the Group Chairman, UBA, Tony Elumelu stated ‘UBA understands the past- that Africa as a continent has always been united by the struggle for identity. UBA is a symbol for the development of Africa, for the economic empowerment of our people, the Small and Medium Enterprises as well as the big corporations. Thus, identifying with Africa and indeed Africa Day is synonymous with who we are as a bank. It presents us the opportunity to remind ourselves, the world and indeed Africa that we owe ourselves the duty of making Africa the continent of our dreams.”

      Elumelu added that it is important for Africans to remember history as this will help prepare for the future. ‘Our past provides a veritable tool to fashioning the continent’s development, renaissance and economic growth’ he emphasised.

      Speaking strongly on the issue, professor Wole Soyinka, who commended UBA’s initiative for opening up discussions on these pressing topics decried the growing erosion of history from the curriculum in African schools, adding that the lack of knowledge of our past makes children’s growth on the continent truncated. “How can we cope with the modern phenomenon if we do not know the past? We should never forget the importance of history as it is not just an academic exercise,” he enthused.

      Corroborating Soyinka’s position, Professor Niane opined that reminiscing about Africa’s rich history is important as there is no people without history. He said, “A lot of work has been done by Africans and we have to be happy about it. There is the need to continue the conversation about African unity. Policies have been put in place and our democracy can only get stronger. Peace will reign and Africa will be reunited. Economic transformation is also important but it is not the only thing we should concentrate on.”

      Samia Nkrumah, the daughter of Kwame Nkrumah of Ghana, who commended UBA for prioritising African entrepreneurship, called for a renewed attempt at African unity, which according to her, has to be a collective effort of the people.

      Nkrumah said, “As we work in our individual smaller countries, it will be easier to achieve more if we work together and complete unification can only come if we work together; we won’t go anywhere unless we use unity as a political project.’ She added.

      On his part, Femi Kuti emphasised the importance of History, saying “Our children need to learn this history so that they can come up and build the continent. We need everyone – both boys and girls to work towards this vision.”

      The UBA Conversations, an initiative of the Pan African financial institution, aims at aggregating discussions necessary for the growth and development of the continent. It is being held as part of the activities to mark the 2019 edition of Africa Day celebrations by the bank.

      With presence in 20 African countries as well as in the United States, France and The United Kingdom, UBA’s passion for Africa’s growth is part of who they are.

      The bank is set to continue conversations around these important topics that are required to galvanise the African economy with the aim of attracting the much needed support that will boost SMEs and support business growth on the continent.

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      Ex Governor Abdullahi Ganduje, Wife, others To Be Arraigned April 17 Over Dollar Video…..

      Published

      2 weeks ago

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      April 10, 2024

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      The Kano High Court is set to arraign Kano State’s immediate previous governor, Abdullahi Ganduje, on April 17, 2024, on charges of bribery, diversion, and theft of money, including the alleged acceptance of $413,000 and N1.38 billion in bribes.

      Haruna Dederi, Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, confirmed the situation, saying Ganduje would be charged with his wife and six others.

      The accused individuals named in the summons are Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, Hafsat Umar, Abubakar Bawuro, Umar Abdullahi Umar, Jibrilla Muhammad, Lamash Properties Ltd, Safari Textiles Ltd, and Lesage General Enterprises.

      The Kano State Government, which initiated the criminal suit against the eight respondents, has declared its readiness to present 15 witnesses to testify before Justice Usman Na’aba of State High Court number four.

      “It is very true. We have filed the case and it’s going to hold on the 17th of April, 2024. What I cannot confirm is whether he is served or not, but he will definitely be served,” he said.

      Dederi further highlighted the significance of accountability in governance, remarking, “What he (Ganduje) doesn’t understand is that you cannot run away from the evil day, it will definitely come to you, and this will even serve as a deterrence to all of us that are also in government now.”

      The commissioner also addressed the jurisdictional aspect of the case, asserting,
      “He was saying that we can’t prosecute him, forgetting that the offence also falls under the category of the state offences,” he said.

      “It’s not totally a federal affair and we have even appealed to Justice Liman ruling on that.”

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      Just In: Emefiele arrives Lagos court for arraignment

      Published

      3 weeks ago

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      April 8, 2024

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      The embattled former Central Bank of Nigeria Governor, Godwin Emefiele, has arrived at the Ikeja State High Court in Lagos for
      his arraignment over alleged abuse of office and allocation of billions of dollars.

      Emefiele, alongside his co-defendant, one Henry Isioma Omole, will be arraigned on fresh 26 counts before Justice Rahman Oshodi this morning.

      In the charge marked ID/23787c/2024 and dated April 3, 2024, the EFCC alleged that Emefiele abused his office between 2022 and 2023 in Lagos.

      The commission alleged that the former CBN governor “directed to be done in abuse of the authority of your office, as the Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, an arbitrary act, to wit: allocating foreign exchange in the aggregate sum of $2,136,391,737.33 without bids, which act is prejudicial to the rights of Nigerians.”

      Details later…

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      Society

      Look Beyond Sentiments, Fagade Urges Critics of Tinubu’s Appointments… Congratulates FIRS Boss, Zacch Adedeji

      Published

      6 months ago

      on

      November 1, 2023

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      Businessman and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state, Chief Abisoye Fagade has told those accusing President Bola Ahmed Tinubu of nepotism to jettison primordial sentiments, vindictiveness and bitterness with a view to supporting the current administration in its drive to take Nigeria out of the doldrums.

      Fagade’s submission came against the background of insinuations from some quarters that appointments made so far by President Bola Tinubu was skewed in favour of the Yoruba ethnic group or people in the south western part of the country even though there have been counter reactions from eminent personalities from all parts of the country that the accusation of nepotism against Mr. President was unfounded and invalid.

      In a statement issued on Wednesday and made available to journalists in Ibadan, Fagade described the Tuesday confirmation of Dr. Zacch Adedeji as the substantive chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) by the Nigerian Senate as “a step in the right direction taken to facilitate the quick realization of economic recovery agenda of the Tinubu administration.

      “The appointment of Dr. Adedeji as the FIRS boss as well as other cerebral financial and economic management experts to man one key post or the other in the current administration will no doubt yield the desired results as Nigerians should expect economic rejuvenation, wealth creation and naira stability in no time. Governance is no tea party and one fundamental thing in the life of any government is having the right peg in the right hole and not the other way round.

      “It is essential we congratulate our own Zacch Adedeji on the confirmation of his appointment as the FIRS boss by the Nigerian Senate in view of the fact that our confidence and trust in him as a competent administrator, seasoned financial expert and unique patriot remain constant. There are high expectations about Nigerian economy being diversified for obvious reasons by the Tinubu administration and we believe with the likes of Adedeji in FIRS, the goal would be achieved sooner than later.

      “Above all, we appeal to all stakeholders in the affairs of our dear country to always eschew jingoism, ethnic biases or religious consideration on any matter relating to the interest of the most populous black nation in the world. The time to fix Nigeria is now and with the person of President Tinubu at the helms of affairs, the massive turnaround desired in our socio-economic and political architecture would begin to materialize very soon and it would not only be consolidated but also sustained for the collective benefits of all and sundry”. Fagade stated.

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